Andrographis for Respiratory Health

Research suggests that Andrographis paniculata and its primary active compound andrographolide may have antiviral properties relevant to respiratory health, with one in vitro study finding that both the extract and andrographolide potently suppressed SARS-CoV-2 replication in human lung cells at concentrations well below those associated with cellular toxicity. A broader review of plant-derived compounds also identified Andrographis among botanicals of interest for respiratory viral infections, citing various proposed mechanisms of action against pathogens responsible for colds, influenza, and coronavirus infections. However, the available evidence is largely limited to laboratory studies and narrative reviews rather than clinical trials in humans, which means findings about efficacy and safety cannot yet be directly translated to human outcomes. A computational modeling study examining COVID-19 severity did not highlight Andrographis as a key compound in its framework, underscoring that the evidence base remains preliminary and that further well-designed clinical research would be needed to draw firmer conclusions.